While all scientists agree that BPA causes harm at high levels, there is still some debate over whether it’s harmful at the low levels found in food.

The regulatory authorities of the United States and European Union estimate that the levels of BPA in food are too low to cause harm in humans. At least, food exposure to BPA hasn’t been proven to cause harm (, , ).

Yet, it is still unclear whether low levels of BPA can affect human development in the womb. More studies are needed before it can be known for sure.

Nevertheless, countries such as Canada and Denmark find the evidence concerning enough that they've set laws to reduce the amount of BPA in consumer products.

I have listed some methods to minimize your exposure to BPA (and the other obesogenic chemicals) at the bottom of the article.

Summary Bisphenol-A (BPA) has been linked to obesity and many other diseases in humans, although not all scientists agree that the low levels found in food cause harm. It is primarily found in plastics and canned foods.

Organotins are a class of artificial chemicals used for various industrial purposes.

One of them is called tributyltin (TBT). It is used as a fungicide and applied to boats and ships to prevent the growth of marine organisms on the hull. It is also used in wood preservatives and some industrial water systems.

Many lakes and coastal waters are contaminated with tributyltin (, ).

Tributyltin is harmful to marine organisms and has been banned by various regulatory authorities ().

Some scientists believe that tributyltin and other organotin compounds can function as endocrine disruptors and contribute to obesity in humans by increasing the number of fat cells ().

In one test-tube study, tributyltin was found to cause the rapid growth of fat cells and reduce their production of leptin ().

In another study in mice, tributyltin exposure for 45 days caused weight gain and fatty liver disease ().

There is also evidence that exposure to tributyltin in the womb may increase the number of fat cells, which may promote fat gain ().

Summary Organotins, including tributyltin, are compounds that have been shown to cause weight gain and fatty liver disease in mice. They may signal to stem cells to turn into fat cells.

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a synthetic compound used for various purposes.

It is a constituent of non-stick cookware made with Teflon and also found in microwave popcorn ().

PFOA has been found in the blood of more than 98% of Americans ().

It has been associated with various diseases in humans, including thyroid disorders, low birth weight and chronic kidney disease (, , , ).

In one study in mice, exposure to PFOAs during development led to increased insulin, leptin and body weight during mid-life ().

However, whether PFOAs really contribute to obesity in humans remains to be seen.

Summary Perfluorooctanoic acid is found in non-stick cookware and other products. It is also associated with various diseases in humans and one mouse study shows that prenatal exposure leads to weight gain in mid-life.

There are many endocrine-disrupting chemicals and covering all of them is beyond the scope of this article.

It is downright impossible to avoid them completely, because they are literally everywhere.

However, there are a few simple things you can do to dramatically reduce your exposure and minimize your risk of later complications.

Avoid foods and beverages that have been stored in plastic containers.

Use stainless steel or quality aluminum water bottles .

Do not feed your babies from plastic bottles. Use glass bottles instead.

Instead of non-stick cookware, use cast iron or stainless steel.

Use organic, natural cosmetics.

Of course, eating healthy, exercising, getting quality sleep and avoiding stress are still the most important factors when it comes to your health.

Only you can decide whether going through extreme lengths to avoid chemicals is worth the inconvenience and extra cost.

But if you are a pregnant woman or plan on becoming pregnant, consider avoiding exposure to these chemicals. It might have an effect on the future health of your baby.

Summary Avoiding obesogens completely is impossible, but you can reduce your exposure by avoiding food or drinks stored in plastic containers. Also consider using cookware made of stainless steel or cast iron.